Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble While organizing art supplies, I found the following quote by an unknown author. It was obviously typed on an old typewriter, and was on a small, yellowed with age, paper about the size of a business card. The creative message entertained me years ago, and it still does today. I hope you too enjoy: “This is a story about four people: … [Read more...]
Newspaper Column, "Mental Matters" published each Wednesday in the South Platte Sentinel Health Section
Women should write their stories while they still can
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble Write YOUR Stories – While you can. This is information continued from my Jan. 6 column. I have no agenda for the stories women post on my website, and I don’t even know if women want to write and share their stories on the internet. I proceed with the project knowing the mental health value of writing one’s stories, … [Read more...]
It’s a new place for rural women to share stories
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble For my 2016 (and beyond) project, I need your help. Let me start with some background. In the last few years, several deaths have hit me hard, especially the passing of women who influenced me and whom I admired. I wondered if they had told their stories, or better yet, written them. Stories about who loved them, what made them laugh and/or … [Read more...]
Resolutions are a good assessment for positive change
Jennifer Goble Mental Health Matters Deepak Chopra, on CNN, said, “We spend money we don’t have on things we don’t need to impress people we don’t like.” Welcome to the week after Christmas. Our credit cards are bulging and our bank accounts are starving. New Year’s resolutions come to the rescue and are commitments to improve our lives. We might want to lose … [Read more...]
Have no expectations but enjoy everything
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble Two days until Christmas. Are you ready? Are you excited? Are you grumpy? Most people share similar wishes and anticipations for Christmas. We want to taste the warm apple cider with the perfect dash of cinnamon; feel strong, slow hugs from family and friends; see soft, white snow as it falls gently on glowing holiday lights; smell blazing … [Read more...]
For some, holiday memories are painful
Jennifer Goble Mental Health Matters We are one week and two days away from Christmas; memories of childhood; love in the air; Christmas music; cookies, candies, and festivities abounding. Our blessings are immeasurable. This side of the holidays is ideal and joyful. There is a flip side to the story: The family living down the street with no money for … [Read more...]
Memories seldom come easily but are worth the effort
Jennifer GobleMental Health Matters American Nobel Prize winner Ernest Hemingway said, “When you stop doing things for fun you might as well be dead.” I think of Christmas as being an entire month of fun; cooking, sending cards, decorating, entertaining, music, and buying gifts. It is an all-in-one fun package. Or is it? It CAN be. (Excuse me while I step up on my … [Read more...]
Make the 23 days until Christmas happy ones
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble I experienced a twinge of anxiety when I wrote the title for this article – 23 days until Christmas. Dec. 25 should, would, and/or could be the joy of preparation, the process, the anticipation of the greatest day of the year. Unfortunately, Christmas day is often a day of, “Don’t ask me to do one thing! I … [Read more...]
Always make it a day of thanks
Jennifer GobleMental Health Matters Tomorrow is the day for food, family, and fun; Thanksgiving. For me, this year is a day of poor, pitiful pearl because I am not going to be with family. Boohoo ME! Times like this call for me to put on my big girl hat and practice what I preach. For example: I’m only as sad as my mind allow; shift my thoughts; it’s up to me; … [Read more...]
Improving patience is a life-long struggle
Jennifer GobleMental Health Matters My sister, who has leukemia, is waiting for her white blood count to come up so she can go home for a few weeks before receiving a bone marrow transplant. My niece and sister-in-law are both waiting for someone to buy their homes so they can move and buy another house. We are all waiting for the presidential election to determine who leads … [Read more...]
Pope united the nation for a few brief days
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble Pope Francis’ visit to the United States moved me to tears. Watching thousands of people, including politicians, exhibit excitement, with respect and reverence, gave me hope. It was so touching. I wanted the joy and faith reflected in eyes and body language of all men, women, and children etched in time. Each person’s religion, … [Read more...]
‘#62MillionGirls don’t have that chance’ deserves support
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble Michelle Obama on “The Late Show with Steven Colbert,” spoke of her new campaign to raise awareness of the 62 million girls around the world – half of whom are adolescent – who are not in school. The First Lady asked supporters to post photos of themselves on Twitter and Instagram like this: “In school, I … [Read more...]
Plan, schedule, prepare and then make it happen
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble Often, we surprise others. Sometimes, we surprise ourselves. Such is the case with my husband and I; we actually rode our Spyder (Can Am three wheeled motorcycle) to Niagara Falls. Our route: CO, NE, IA, MO, IL, IN, KY, OH, WV, PA, NY, Canada, MI, OH, IN, IL, IA, NE, HOME. Forty-five hundred miles. We had a great time, and achieved two … [Read more...]
Building boundaries is a healthy skill worth learning
Mental MattersBy Dr. Jennifer Goble If you say, “Yes” when you want to say “No” you need better boundaries. If you don’t stop or step out of a bad situation, you need better boundaries. If you sense that someone expects you to give them your last dollar or the only ten minutes you have free all day, you need better boundaries. If you are more … [Read more...]
There must be grieving when a loss occurs
Loss is a painful condition that occurs when we lose someone or something. Grief is the emotional response to loss. Loss can be personal, such as losing a job, income, or freedom. Loss may also have to do with significant life events such as death of a loved one, divorce, chronic illness, drug addiction, infertility, drought, or tragedies such as 9-11. No matter the loss, … [Read more...]